pregnant and cat litter and food

I am either 6 weeks pregnant or 10 weeks....not sure because I had what I thought was my cycle on Nov 6 but looking back it was really really light, like maybe 2 days and not much bleeding, and then when I told my mother I was pregnant and how far along I thought I was she's the one who asked me if I could be farther along b/c I was complaining of tiredness, my breasts hurting and just not feeling well the month before...anyways, my first doctor apt. with an ob isn't until next week so I have a couple of questions for those who have already met with a doctor.

I have a cat and have read that a pregnant woman should not change the litter.  Do you know if it's okay to change it if I wear gloves?  I live alone so don't have anyone else to do it and I hate to get rid of the cat since I just adopted her from a shelter just 2 months ago.

Also, I read on some site that I shouldn't eat mayonaise because it has uncooked eggs in it.  Other web sites don't mention mayo being not okay.  Does anyone know?  thanks

[Ashelen]

If you use gloves you should be alright. It's definitely not great to do while you're pregnant but since you have no other option I'm sure using gloves will be fine :). I ate mayo my entire pregnancy with DD and a lot this pregnancy and I don't think it's a problem...the eggs are pasteurized so it's not the same as, for instance, cookie dough (which plenty of pregnant women still eat lol). Congrats on your pregnancy!!!!

[April2]

The doctor told me that if you don't have anyone else to help change the litter to use gloves and wash your hands well afterwards. You can get the cat tested for toxoplasmosis at your vet's office too if you're worried. My vet told me that it's rare to catch toxoplasmosis and that it's usually outdoor cats that carry it.

[AnnieBrooke]

The other thing about toxoplasmosis is that even if the cat has it and is passing it through the feces, it takes a couple of days for the toxoplasmosis to become dangerous in the feces.  So, the upshot is, if you empty the cat box every day, it will not be a problem, because the whatever-it-is in the feces won't have time to get toxic.

[ChrisNBrandy]

I have not yet read everyones comments. But I know for a fact that you should NEVER change the litter box when you are pregnant. I have a very good friend who is legally blind because of his mother changing the litter box when she was pregnant with him. His eyes are even crossed really bad. It's some disease, I can't remember what they call it. But, I swear to you that it is NOT good at ALL to mess with the litter box no matter how far along you are. Honestly, I would highly advise just to stay away as far as possible from it. This guy I know can see, but he can't drive or anything. He has to walk to work everyday! He's such a cool and funny guy! It ***** that a person as good as he, has to suffer with that disease every day of his life.

[Scout8601]

I appreciate your opinions on this.  I think I will be okay since the kitten is an indoor only cat, I change the box everyday and wear thick gloves and wash my hands afterwards.  I've been so worried about this tho b/c my sister swears that she lost her first child to m/c b/c of the littler box.  I go to my first doc appt on Tues so I will follow up with him about this. This is my first preg and I never knew there was sooo much to know. I have tons of questions.  thanks all

[adgal]

I'm 34 weeks pregnant and own 2 indoor only cats.  The majority of the time my husband is taking care of the litter box, but on occasion he has had to travel for work so I have done it.  Yes, it's best to wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.  You can also request testing to see if you have ever been exposed to toxoplasmoses and if you have in the past (as many of us lifelong cat owners have been) it's actually fine.  It's catching it while pregnant that creates the problem, however it is fairly rare.  Use caution and common sense but don't let it panic you.  More of a concern is ensuring your cat is properly dewormed.  I am having mine done again (second time this year) a few weeks before my little one's due date just to make doubly sure.  Good luck and don't worry too much about it.  

[AnnieBrooke]

Adgal is right.  Not only can you test the cat to see if he or she has toxoplasmosis, but you can also get a toxoplasmosis titer run on yourself, and if you have had it, you are immune to getting it again.  (It manifests as a slight flulike illness, so a lot of people have had it and never knew.  A person can get it from contact with the soil, for example from gardening, as well as from cats.)  But if you are taking the precautions named above, you won't get it.